Thomas Hodgson, the sheriff of Bristol County, Massachusetts, joins Political Roundtable to discuss President Trump’s push for a border wall, immigration and other topics.
Ian Donnis
One of the state’s top political reporters, Ian Donnis joined The Public’s Radio in 2009. Ian has reported on Rhode Island politics since 1999, arriving in the state just two weeks before the FBI raided City Hall and Buddy Cianci’s East Side home. Ian covers breaking news, develops in-depth features and investigative reports, and welcomes a range of newsmakers to “Political Roundtable” each week. He also writes our Friday political newsletter and maintains a strong social media presence.
For many years, Ian was a panelist on WPRI-TV’s Sunday morning public affairs show, Newsmakers, and he’s a regular guest on A Lively Experiment on Rhode Island PBS. His previous experience includes serving as news editor of The Providence Phoenix and as a reporter for the Associated Press and the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. He has a BS in journalism from Boston University.
Outside of work, Ian enjoys baseball, cooking, and exploring Rhode Island.
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Bonus Q&A: Hodgson On ICE Detainees, Audit, Winning As A Republican & More
Bristol County, Massachusetts, Sheriff Thomas Hodgson joins Bonus Q&A to discuss a recent audit of his office, the debate over housing ICE detainees, and much more.
Posted inArticle, Politics
Proposed Fee Hikes Unveiled For RI Beaches And Campgrounds
Rhode Island residents would pay an added $2 to park at a state beach, and between $4 and $16 more to use different services at state campgrounds, under a proposal from Gov. Gina Raimondo’s administration. According to new details provided by the state Department of Environmental Management, non-residents would pay a higher cost: their tab […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
RI, Mass Evaluating Whether To Join Multi-State Suit Against Trump Administration
Rhode Island and Massachusetts are evaluating whether to join 16 states, including Connecticut, suing over President Trump’s use of an emergency declaration to steer billions of dollars to building a border wall. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said his office is reviewing whether to join the suit filed Monday by California officials. “The reason […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
Raimondo Says Need For Better Maintenance Justifies Plan To Raise Beach, Camping Fees
Rhode Islanders will pay a little more to go to a state beach or rent a camp site if Governor Gina Raimondo gets her way. The actual size of the proposed fee increases will not be revealed until around the first week of March. Raimondo used a news conference at Lincoln Woods on Monday to […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Politics/Media Roundup For February 15
The Rhode Island General Assembly is starting its week-long winter break, but hot legislative topics continue to percolate. Thanks for stopping by for my weekly column. As usual, your tips and comments are welcome, and you can follow me through the week on the twitters. Here we go. 1) A number of opponents of abortion-rights […]
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Bonus Q&A: Valverde On RI Democrats, East Greenwich, Schools & More
Freshman RI state Sen. Bridget Valverde (D-North Kingstown) stopped by our studio to talk about a range of issues, including last year’s controversial Democratic endorsements, her priorities, and more.
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Political Roundtable: Valverde On Why She Ran, The Abortion Debate & Senate Rules
Rhode Island state Sen. Bridget Valverde (D-North Kingstown) joins Political Roundtable to discuss why she ran for the General Assembly, the abortion debate at the Statehouse, and the proposed rules changes in the Senate.
Posted inArticle, Politics
Raimondo, Neronha Call For Added Gun Restrictions; Outlook Uncertain In General Assembly
Speaking on the anniversary of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo and Attorney General Peter Neronha said Thursday that imposing new restrictions on guns is a matter of saving lives.During a Statehouse news conference packed with anti-gun violence activists, Raimondo and Neronha unveiled their support for bills to ban what […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
Lawmaker Wants RI To Consider Relaxing ‘Punitive’ Prostitution Law
A Rhode Island lawmaker believes the state’s laws governing sex work are too punitive and she wants to create a 12-member commission to review possible changes. “Certainly, it needs to be talked about simply because – and not only because – women are getting a bum rap and are unfairly being targeted and punished when […]
